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What Causes Persistent Eye Twitching?
Question: I have developed a twitching in my left eye and sometimes on the left side of my mouth. Had it checked out and they said I was not have a stroke or heart attack????
Brief Answer:
Stroke unlikely. Possible hemifacial spasm
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging by your description I agree with whoever it was telling you that it is not at all a typical manifestation of stroke, and certainly not of a heart attack, I do not think you have much to worry on that regard.
That being said it doesn't mean that it doesn't need attention if it is causing you discomfort. It may be in the setting of a condition called hemifacial spasm, which typically manifests at your age, characterized by involuntary contractions of the muscles of one side of the face, typically starting in the eyelid muscles and later on spreading in other muscles. They are caused by discharges of the facial nerve. Most commonly the cause is unknown but at times may be caused by compression of the nerve by an abnormal blood vessel or a tumor.
So it should be consulted by a neurologist and if confirmed as hemifacial spasm a MRI should be scheduled to exclude the above causes, as well as a EMG. If affecting quality of life it may be treated, botulinum toxin injections are usually first employed.
Another possibility would be it being simply due to anxiety and no specific treatment may be needed.
Stroke unlikely. Possible hemifacial spasm
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging by your description I agree with whoever it was telling you that it is not at all a typical manifestation of stroke, and certainly not of a heart attack, I do not think you have much to worry on that regard.
That being said it doesn't mean that it doesn't need attention if it is causing you discomfort. It may be in the setting of a condition called hemifacial spasm, which typically manifests at your age, characterized by involuntary contractions of the muscles of one side of the face, typically starting in the eyelid muscles and later on spreading in other muscles. They are caused by discharges of the facial nerve. Most commonly the cause is unknown but at times may be caused by compression of the nerve by an abnormal blood vessel or a tumor.
So it should be consulted by a neurologist and if confirmed as hemifacial spasm a MRI should be scheduled to exclude the above causes, as well as a EMG. If affecting quality of life it may be treated, botulinum toxin injections are usually first employed.
Another possibility would be it being simply due to anxiety and no specific treatment may be needed.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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